Ostrea luridae (Olympia oyster)

Found in area 3. No picture available.

This is the only oyster native to Washington State. It is very small. Populations began declining beginning in 1850’s to 1860’s when it was overharvested. Further decline is attributed to (1) accidental and purposefully imported Japanese oysters which grow faster and (2) other accidentally introduced oyster predators and (3) pollution.